Underwater wellhead apparatus and method



July 30, 1963 D, JOHNSON 3,099,316

UNDERWATER WELLHEAD APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed April 25. 1960 INVENTORGLENN D. JOHNSON v wmvcu FIG. 5 (g HIS AGENT United States Patent3,099,316 UNDERWATER WELLHEAD APPTUS METHOD This invention relates toofishore wells drilled in earth formations lying below a body of water,wherein the wellhead equipment of the well is positioned below thesurface of the water. The invention pertains more particularly to amethod and apparatus for manipulat ng equipment in the vicinity of, orwhich are components on, an underwater wellhead.

At present, offshore wells are drilled either from stationary platformsanchored to the ocen floor, movable barges temporarily positioned on theocean floor or from movable barges floating on the body of water inwhich drilling operations are being carried out. Regardless of themanner in which the wells are drilled, most wells are completed in amanner such that the outermost tubular member of the well extendupwardly from the ocean floor to a point above the surface of the waterwhere a wellhead assembly or Christ-mas tree is mounted thereon forcontrolling the production of the well.

Wellheads extending above the surface of the water constitute a hazardto the navigation of vessels in the :area as well as constituting astructure which is readily attacked by wave action, it being well knownthat the corrosive action of seawater and the air readily attack thenormal steel platforms unless they are protected in a suitable manner'by corrosive-resistant material. However, 'with the wellhead and/orcasing head extending above the surface of the water, the flowcontrolling com-- ponents of the wellhead may be readily adjusted by anoperator working from a platform adjacent the wellhead structure abovethe surface of the water. Additionally, any Workover or reconditioningoperations carried out on the well may be readily accomplished as all ofthe portions of the wellhead structure which must be disassembled orderto carry out these operations, are above the surface of the water wherethey may be reached by maintenance crews.

Recently, however, methods and apparatus have been developed fordrilling and completing oil and gas wells in the ocean floor in a mannersuch that after completion of the well, the wellhead assembly, includingvarious components, such as flow control valves, is positioned beneaththe surface of the water, preferably on the ocean floor. Thesefacilities are often positioned in water depths greater than the depthat which a diver can safely and readily work. it may therefore be seenthat :the adjustment of any of the wellhead components from time totime, or the re-entry of a well to carry out maintenance orreconditioning work, presents a considerable problem when the wellheadassembly is positioned below the sur face of the water.

It is therefore a puimary object of the present invention to provide amethod and apparatus for manipulating equipment in the vicinity of, orcomponents on, a wellhead assembly positioned below the surface of thewater.

A further object of the present invention is to provide aremotely-controlled manipulator device adapted to move through the bodyof water and be temporarily secured to an underwater wellhead whilebeing movable therearound for carrying out any of the various operationsof setting, adjusting, connecting or the disconnecting of a wellheadassembly, components or associated equipment thereof.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device adaptedto be movably-positioned temporarily on a track adjacent an underwaterwellhead, said device being provided with a rotatable object-engagingarm which is movable in any direction in a vertical or horizontal planewithin the vicinity of the wellhead assembly.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a wellheadapparatus adapted to be positioned underwater for receiving on saidapparatus and movable thereon a manipulator device adapted to engage thevarious components of the wellhead assembly.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method andapparatus for remotely adjusting the flow of fluid from an underwaterwellhead assembly from a remote location.

These and other objects of this invention will be understood from thefollowing description taken with reference to the drawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating one form of a manipulatordevice of the present invention positioned on a wellhead assemblylocated on the ocean FIGURE 2 is an isometric view of another form of awellhead manipulator device in accordance with the pres ent invention;

FIGURE 3 is a bottom view of the manipulator device of FEGURE 2;

FIGURES 4- and 5 are top views of two different forms of a manipulatordevice similar to FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of the wellhead assembly of FIGURE 1; and,

FIGURE 7 is a side view of another form of the manipulator device of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIGURE 1 of the drawing, a wellhead assembly 31 isconnected to i he conductor pipe 12 or the outermost casing string of awell drilled in the ocean floor 13, or in. a formation covered by a bodyof water. For purposes of illustration, the well-head assembly 11 isshown as being positioned on the ocean floor 13. However, in manycircumstances, for example, where the ocean floor is very muddy, it maybe desirable :to position the wellhead assembly 11 at some distanceabove the ocean floor 13 on the upper end of the conductor pipe 12.

In the foregoing description, the term wellhead assembly is meant toinclude any assemblage of components either fixed-1y or removablysecured to the top of one or more strings of pipe extending into theocean floor, either during the drilling, completion, production, re-working, or maintenance of a well. Thus, during the drilling of a wellthe wellhead assembly may comprise certain components such as blow-outpreventers, slips, etc., which would not be included therein when thewell was being produced. Likewise, certain wellhead components of aproducing well would be removed in order to carry out certainmaintenance operations thereon. For illustration purposes, the top ofthe wellhead assembly 1-1 is shown as that of a producing well whichgenerally includes such components as a casing head 14, an adaptor 15secured to the top of the casing head, as by bolts 16, a master valve17, a T 20, a swabbing valve 21,-

a coupling 22 and a closure member 23, all of said elements beingconnected coaxially together and in coaxial relationship with the tubingand casing in the well. The valves 17 and 21 are provided with valvehandles or shafts l8 and 19 in the form of outwardly-extendinghorizontal movable elements, preferably extending on a radial line ofthe wellhead assembly or along radial lines extending from (themanipulator device 36 when it is fixedly positioned at one point on thewellhead assembly, as illustrated in FIGURE 6. A nut, preferablyoutwardly tapered for alignment purposes is provided at the end of 7each movable element '18 and 19. Extending from the T 20 is another T 24from which extends a pressure equalization line 25 and a productionflowline 26 equipped with valves 27 and 23, choke 3G and couplings 31and 32,. The couplings are provided with movable elements, such aselement 18 on valve 17, for disconnecting the mating portions of thecouplings. The wellhead assembly, or the assembled components of thewellhead assembly above the adaptor 15, may be lowered together intoplace by means of a pipestring 33 which is subseguently removed.

Fixedly secured to the wellhead assembly 11 is a substantiallyhorizontal track 35 forming anchor means or base means on which aremotely-controlled manipulator device 36 is mounted for circumferentialmovement in either direction. Preferably, a second track 37 is affixedto the wellhead assembly 11 in spaced relationship with the track 35.Any desired spacial relationship of the tracks 35 and 37 may beemployed. While track 37 is shown as being spaced both vertically andhorizontally away from track 35, with track 37 the higher of the twotracks, their positions could be reversed with the outer tnack 35 beingthe higher track, or both tracks may be in the same horizontal planewith the manipulator device 36 riding on them or between them.Alternatively, tracks 37 and 35 may be of the same diameter while beingspaced vertically with the manipulator device hanging from both of them.Preferably, the tracks 35 and 37 extend entirely around the wellheadassembly 11 and flowlines 25 and 26 so that the manipulator device 36may be positioned at any point on the circumference of the track tocarry out operations on any component of the wellhead assembly, torexample, such as unscrewing all of the horizontallydirected bolts '16 inthe adaptor 15.

A preferred form of the track-mounted manipulator device 36 is shown ingreater detail in FIGURE 2, although it is to be understood that themanipulator device may take any suitable form for carrying out theoperations as described with regard to this invention. As shown inFIGURE 2, the manipulator device 36 comprises upper and lowertelescoping body sections 49 and 41, respectively, which are preferablymounted in rotata ble and fluidtight relationship with each other.Suitable arrangements for mounting two body sections for telescoping androtatable movement are described in US. Patents453,545-647,7741,296,6882,673,452. US. Patents 867,982 and 2,776,817illustrate means by which telescoping body sections are prevented fromseparating. If desired, one or more intermediate body sections 42(FIGURE 1) may be built into the manipulator device to increase theheight to which it may be extended vertically, say to a distance of feetor more. A cable 43 is secured to an eye bolt -44 in the top of theupper body section 40 of the manipulator device for lowering themanipulator device through the water. In the event that the prime movermeans (not shown) within the manipu labor device areelectrically-operated, the cable 43 may be a combined weight-bearing andpower-transmission cable combined in one unit. Alternatively, electricpower or hydraulic fluid could be transmitted thnough a separate conduit45 or conduits into the manipulator device 36 for energizing the variouselements of the manipulator device. The prime mover means, which may beof any suitable type, employed to rotate, extend and retract the varioussections of the body sections 40 and 41 with respect to each other, orthe various sections of the arms 46 land 47 with respect to each other,are contained within the manipulator device 36, while the circuitryemployed to energize and actuate selectively the various elements may becontained in the manipulator device, or in a con.- tnoller rat theoperating base above the surface of the water, or split between the twolocations.

Mounted preferably near the top of the upper body section of themanipulator 36 are one or more outwardlyex-tendible,inwardly-retractable, land axially-rotatable arms 46 and 47 which are ofa size and design suitable for performing the Work on the wellheadstructure and in the vicinity thereof for which the present invention isdesigned. For example, each arm 46 or 47 may comprise one or moretelescoping sections extendible from the manipulator device 36preferably to the center line of the well. With an arm of this lengthbeing employed, the manipulator device 36 would be adapted to engage anyof the wellhead components of the wellhead if the manipulator device 36is able to travel all the way around the well. The arm 46 is shown asbeing provided with grapple elements 50 adapted to be opened and closedabout a piece of equipment, While the end of arm 47 is illustnated asbeing provided with a wrench socket 51 for turning in one direction orthe other, bolts adapted to fit therein. The telescoping or advancingtype arm and power wrench may be of any [suitable design andconstruction as for example similar to that shown in US. Patents2,637,527 and 2,673,452. Alternatively, the .end of the arm 47 may beprovided with a wrench socket (not shown) set at degrees to the axis ofthe arm 47 for turning bolts or other devices whose axis is positionednormal to the axis of the arm 47. A power wrench of this design is shownin US. Patent 2,854,217.

The lower body section 41 of the manipulator device 36 is provided,preferably near the bot-tom thereof, with suitable guide means, forexample, a pair of wheels 52 and 53 (FIGURE 3) adapted to be positionedon one of the tracks surrounding the wellhead, preferably the lowertrack 35. The lower body section 41 of the manipulator device 36 is alsopreferably provided with stabilizing rollers or wheels 54, 55 and 56rotatably secured to an outwardly-extending arm 57 on the lower bodysection 41. Preferably, the stabilizing rollers 54, 55 and 56 arepositioned on the extending arm 57 in a manner such that they arelocated on both sides of the track 37 to prevent horizontal forces fromforcing the manipulator device off the tracks. The arrangement of thewheels 52 and 53 and the arrangement of the stabilizing rollers 54, 55and 56 with regard to their position on the lower body section 41 ispreferably such that the wheels and rollers readily seat on therespective tracks 35 and 37 when the manipulator device 36 is loweredinto place thereon. For example, the wheels 52 and 53 are so positionedon the lower body section 41, and the lower body section 41 is in turnshaped in a manner such that there is little or no tendency for thewheels 42 and 43 to hang up on the upper track 37 when the manipulatordevice 36 is being lowered into place. Any hanging up tendency on thepart of the wheels 52 and 53 may be substantially minimized by employingthe proper design for the upper track 37.

In most cases, the weight of the manipulator device 36 is suflicienttokeep it on the tracks 35 and 3'7 during all normal operations carriedout by the manipulator device 36 on the wellhead assembly 11. However,in some instances it is desirable to provide the manipulator device 36with suitable clamping means adapted to be remotely actuated after themanipulator device 36 has been positioned on the tracks 35 and 37 so asto clamp onto one of the tracks from the bottom or opposite sidethereof. For example, as shown in FIGURES l and 3, la pivoted clamp 60is mounted on the bottom of the lower body section 41 and may berecessed therein, the clamp 60 being adapted to be actuated land pivotedto the under side of the lower track 35 latter the wheels 52 and 53 havebeen seated thereon. Track clamps of this type are shown in US. Patents23-3,0l5--938,4901,442,1942,364,785.

in order to index the entire manipulator device at a predeterminedposition on the track 35, any suitable indexing device may be provided.For example, as shown in FIGURE 2, a notched indexing element 61 may beaffixed, for example to the lower track 35 on the inner wall thereof, atvarious positions along the track 35, while the bottom of themanipulator device 36 is provided with a remotely retractable latchingdevice or pin 6-2 (FIG- URE 3) adapted to be dropped down or swung intothe notch of the indexing element 61 as the manipulator device 36 movesaround the track. Any number of these indexing devices may be employed.Additionally, since the upper body section 40 is rotatable about avertical axis with regard to the lower body section 41, the two sectionsmay be provided with remotely controlled and disengageable mating,indexing and aligning elements similar to 61 and 62 for selectivelysecuring the two body sections 40 and 41 together at various positionsin which secured positions the body sections are secured againstrelative rotation yet are free to telescope as desired. One preferredposition in which the two body sections 40 and 41 are rigidly securedtogether is that at which the horizontal axis through one of the arms 46and 47 intersects the axis of the well or the wellhead assembly 1 1.With the body sections 40 and 41 locked in the described manner, andwith the manipulator device 36 locked in the suitable indexing device 61on the lower track 35, it is only necessary to raise the upper bodysection 40 which in turn elevates the arm 47 to the proper height andextend the wrench socket 51 outwardly in order to come in register withone of the bolt heads 16 of the adaptor, for example. Thus, it may beseen that a more accurate placement of the wrench socket 51 on the bolthead 16 may be obtained. The arm 47 is preferably provided with aratcheting device (not shown) which would cause the arm to over-ridewhen excessive torque was applied to the wrench socket 51, thuspreventing twisting a head off of one of the bolts. Alternatively, thewrench arm 47 could be provided with a strain gauge to measure theamount of torque imposed by the wrench socket 51 in turning an element.

A preferred form of a wellhead assembly is shown in FIGURE 6 wherein themaster valve .17, valve 27 and choke 3t) are arranged in an arc, whenviewed from above, with the center of the arc being the center of amanipulator device which is indexed at a predetermined position which isin line with the axis of the handle 18 of the master valve 17. Theoperating handle or shaft of valve 27 and choke 3%), are preferablydirected along radii of a circle whose center is the pivot center of themanipulator device 36. Thus, with the manipulator device positioned at asingle point on tracks 35 and 37, several operations could be carriedout by merely sweeping arm 4-7 in an arc horizontally and moving it upor down in order to align it with a component to be operated.

To observe operations being carried out at the wellhead assembly 11 bythe manipulator device 36, the manipulator device 36 is provided withone or more swivelmounted flood lights 63 and 64 and one or moretelevision cameras 65 and 66, for lighting the area in the vicinity ofthe wellhead and observing operations there in. Both the lights 63 and64 and the television cameras 65 and 66 are remotely-controlled by anoperator positioned, say, at the surface on an operating barge, thesignal from the cameras 65 and 66 being transmitted through cable 43.Prior to conducting operations with the apparatus of the presentinvention, the underwater wellhead may be located in any manner wellknown to the art, such as by sonar equipment which may be carried by thevessel at the surface of the water or by the manipulator device belowthe surface of the water.

In using the manipulator device 36 of the present invention on aWellhead designed to receive it as described hereinabove, themanipulator device 36 is lowered through the water on the cable '43 froma hoist (not shown) on a drilling barge or other vessel (not shown) onthe sur-- face of the water. Alternatively, the manipulator device 36could be lowered by providing it with a large float chamber on the topof the manipulator device with a signal being transmitted through cable43 to an electrically controlled flood valve in said chamber forpartially flooding the chamber and altering its buoyancy so as to allowthe manipulator device 36 to sink into place on the tracks 35 and 37.The manipulator device 36 may be guided into place by the support cable43. Alternatively, the ma nipulator device 36 may be provided with oneor more propellers, preferably in the form of Kort tubes 67, 68 and 69(FIGURE 4) which are open-ended tubes provided With propellers 76therein driven by unidirectional or reversible motors (not shown). Onetype of propulsion means suitable for the present apparatus is shown inU.S. Patents l,344,518l,958,997-2,583,059. Alternatively, as shown inFIGURE 5, a pair of Kort tubes 71 and 72 may be employed having remotelyadjustable rudders 73 and 74- attached thereto. The Kort tubes arepreferably mounted on the top of the manipulator device 36 so as to beout of the way of the normal operations and positioned so that they areunlikely to bedamaged by contact with other elements. Thus, when themanipulator device 36 is lowered on the cable 43 into position near thewellhead assembly 11, by energizing the motor in one or more of the Korttubes 67, 68 or 69 (FIGURE 4), the manipulator device 36 would bepropelled through the water to its position adjacent the wellheadassembly 11, at which point it may be lowered into place on the tracks35 and 37. Alternatively, as a guide in lowering the manipulator device36 into place on the tracks 35 and 37, the upper section 40 of themanipulator device 36 maybe rotated so that the arm 46 and its grapplemember 50 engages the pipe string 33 extending upwardly from thewellhead assembly 11. Thus, with the arm 46 extended a distance so thatthe wheels 52 and 53 and the rollers 54-, 55 and 56 would seat on theirrespective tracks 35 and 37, the entire manipulator device may belowered by its cable 43 down onto the tracks 35 and 37.

One or more of the Kort tubes may be energized in order to supply powerto move the manipulator device around the tracks 35 and 37.Alternatively, one or more of the rollers 52, '53, 54, 55 or 56 may bepowered, as by electric or hydraulic motor (not shown) within themanipulator device 36, for driving the manipulator device around thetracks 35 and 37 to any preselected position thereon.

While only one general type of manipulator device 36 has been describedin detail, it is understood that any other type of manipulator devicemay be employed which is movable along a track adjacent a wellheadassembly. it is understood that the manipulator device may take otherforms. For example, as shown in FIGURE 7, a single body 76 may beemployed having an arm 77 verticallyextending in a telescoping androtatable manner from the top of the body, with a telescoping androtatable side arm 7 3 extending in a horizontal plane from the top ofthe vertically-extending arm, thus providing movement in both verticaland horizontal planes.

The manipulator device of the present invention may be employed to carryout operations at any well production facilities positioned below thesurface of a body of water which is provided with a suitable track ortracks on which the manipulator device may be propelled to its variousindexed positions around the facilities. Underwater well productionfacilities, as employed herein, may comprise a wellhead assemblytogether with flow lines as described hereinabove. It may also includeother production equipment such as under-water tanks positioned belowthe surface of the water for collecting, storing or metering productionfluid from underwater wells, or for treating or separating theproduction fluid and then handling the separate phases thereof.Underwater tanks, if used are preferably positioned around a wellheadassembly so that the manipulator device 36 (FIGURE 1) could be employedon its tracks 35- and 37 by merely rotating the operative arm 47 of themanipulator 36 so that it is directed outwardly away from the wellheadassembly Where it could engage, control or adjust the op erativecomponents such as valves, connectors, level controllers, etc., ofnormal production facilities. Also, well production facilities having atrack for a manipulator de- 7 vice could be positioned on the oceanfloor between two or more wells.

1 claim as my invention: 1. An underwater apparatus having componentsadapted to be remotely manipulated at said underwater apparatus from anoperational base positioned above the surface of the water, saidapparatus comprising a string of pipe extending into the formationsunderlying said water, the top of said pipe being above the formationand below the surface of the water, and base means mounted adjacent saidpipe, said base means adapted to receive thereon a remotely movable andactuatable manipulator device for manipulating components of saidunderwater apparatus.

2. An underwater wellhead apparatus having components adapted to beremotely manipulated from an operational base positioned above thesurface of the water, said wellhead apparatus comprising a string ofpipe extending into the formations underlying said water, the top ofsaid pipe being above the formation and below the surface of the water,a wellhead assembly secured to said pipe near the top thereof, basemeans mounted adjacent said wellhead assembly, said base means adaptedto receive thereon a remotely movable and actuatable manipulator devicefor manipulating components of said underwater apparatus.

7 3. An underwater wellhead apparatus having components with movableportions adapted to be remotely manipulated from an operational basepositioned above the surface of the water, said wellhead apparatus comprising a string of pipe extending into the formation underlying saidwater, the top of said pipe being above the formation and below thesurface of the water, track means rigidly mounted adjacent said pipe,said track means adapted to receive thereon a remotely controlledmanipulator device adapted to manipulate said wellhead components.

4. An underwater wellhead apparatus having components adapted to beremotely manipulated from an ope'rational base positioned above thesurface of the water, said wellhead apparatus comprising a string ofpipe extending into the formations underlying said water, the top ofsaid pipe being above the formation and below the surface of the water,a wellhead assembly secured to said pipe near the top thereof, trackmeans mounted on said wellhead assembly, said track means adapted toreceive and support thereon a remotely controlled manipulator deviceadapted for actuating wellhead component means mounted on said wellheadapparatus, and wellhead component means mounted on said wellheadassembly, said wellhead component means having actuatable elementsextending therefrom.

5. An underwater Wellhead apparatus having com ponents adapted to beremotely manipulated from an operational base positioned above thesurface of the water, said wellhead apparatus comprising a string ofpipe extending into the formations underlying said water, the top ofsaid pipe being above the formation and below the surface of the water,a wellhead assembly secured to said pipe near the top thereof,horizontally-positioned track means mounted on said wellhead assemblyconcentrio therewith, said track means adapted to receive and' supportthereon a remotely controlled manipulator device adapted for actuatingwellhead component means mounted on said wellhead apparatus, acasinghead secured to the top of said string of pipe and coaxial withsaid wellhead assembly, and wellhead component means mounted on saidcasinghead and said wellhead assembly, said wellhead component meanshaving actuatable elements extending horizontally outwardly therefrom.

6. An underwater wellhead apparatus having components adapted to beremotely manipulated from an operational base positioned above thesurface of the Water, said wellhead apparatus comprising a string ofpipe extending into the formations underlying said water,- the top ofsaid pipe being above the formation and below the surface of the water,a wellhead assembly secured to said pipe near the top thereof,horizontally-positioned track means mounted on said wellhead assemblyconcentric therewith, said track means adapted to receive and supportthereon a remotely controlled manipulator device adapted for actuatingwellhead component means mounted on said wellhead apparatus, acasinghead secured to the top of said string of pipe and coaxial withsaid Wellhead assembly, wellhead component means including connectormeans mounted on said casinghead and said wellhead assembly within anarea defined by a vertical line moving around said track means, saidwellhead component means having actuatable elements extendinghorizontally outwardly therefrom on a radial'line of said track means, aproduction flowline in communication between said casinghead and adistant discharge point, said floWli-ne passing downwardly through saidtrack means and then outwardly beneath said track means, coupling meansin said flowline above said track means, movable elements in saidcoupling means for disconnecting said coupling, said movable elementsextending horizontally outwardly from said coupling means.

7. An underwater wellhead apparatus having components adapted to beremotely manipulated from an op erational base positioned above thesurface of the water, said wellhead apparatus comprising a string ofpipe extending into the formations underlying said water, the top ofsaid pipe being above the formation and below the surface of the water,a wellhead assembly secured to said pipe near the top thereof, first andsecond horizontally-positione'd track means mounted in spacedrelationship on said Wellhead assembly concentric therewith, said trackmeans adapted to receive and support thereon a remotely controlledmanipulator device adapted for actuating Wellhead component meansmounted on said Wellhead apparatus, a casinghead secured to the top ofsaid string of pipe and coaxial with said wellhead assembly, andwellhead component means including valve means and Well control meansand connector means mounted on said casinghead and said wellheadassembly within an area defined by a vertical line moving around saidtrack means, said wellhead component means having actu-atable elementsextending horizontally outwardly therefrom on a radial line of saidtrack means.

8. An underwater wellhead apparatus having components adapted to beremotely manipulated from an operational base positioned above thesurface of the water, said Wellhead apparatus comprising a string ofpipe extending into the formations underlying said water, the top ofsaid pipe being above the formation and below the surface of the water,a wellhead assembly secured to said pipe near the top thereof, first andsecond horizontally-positioned track means mounted in spacedrelationship on said wellhead assembly concentric therewith, said trackmeans adapted to receive and support thereon a remotely controlledmanipulator device adapted for actuating wellhead component meansmounted on said wellhead apparatus, a casinghead secured to the top ofsaid string of pipe and coaxial with said wellhead assembly, Wellheadcomponent means including valve means and well control means andconnector means mounted on said casinghead and said wellhead assemblywithin an area defined by a vertical line moving around said trackmeans, said wellhead component means having actuatable elementsextending horizontally outwardly therefrom on a radial line of saidtrack means, a production flowline in communication between saidcasinghead and a distant discharge point, said flowline passingdownwardly to one side of said track means and then outwardly beneathsaid track means, flowline coupling means and flow control valvemeans insaid flowline above said track means, movable elements in said couplingmeans for disconnecting said coupling means and movable elements in saidvalve means for controlling the flow therethrough, said movable elementsextending horizontally outwardly from said coupling means and valvemeans, and removable plug means closing the top of said wellheadapparatus.

9. Apparatus for carrying out operations at an underwater installationpositioned below the surface of a body of water while controlling saidoperations from a base positioned above said body of Water, saidapparatus comprising an underwater installation positioned below thesurface of a body of water, component means mounted on saidinstallation, means carried by said installation for anchoring saidinstallation to said earth formation, track means mounted on saidunderwater installation, manipulator means lowerable through said waterand removably positionable on said track means for movement thereon,prime mover means carried by said manipulator means for selectivelymoving said manipulator means on said track means, arm means carried bysaid manipulator means for engaging and actuating at least movableportions of said component means of said installation, and prime movermeans for actuating said arm means.

10. Apparatus for carrying out operations at a well head positionedbelow the surface of a body of Water while controlling said operationsfrom a base positioned above said body of water, said apparatuscomprising a wellhead assembly positioned below the surface of a body ofwater and at the top of a well drilled into the earth formationsunderlying said body of water, anchoring means afiixed to said wellheadassembly, said anchoring means anchoring said wellhead assembly to saidearth formation, base means mounted adjacent said wellhead assemblyadapted to receive manipulator means, manipulator means lowerablethrough said water and removably positionable on said base means, andmovable arm means carried by said manipulator means for engaging wellequipment at the wellhead, and prime mover means for actuating said armmeans.

11. The apparatus of claim wherein said base means is fixedly positionedin spaced relationship to the vertical axis of said well-head assembly.

12. Apparatus for carrying out operations at a wellhead positioned belowthe surface of a body of water while controlling said operations from abase positioned above said body of water, said apparatus comprising awellhead assembly positioned below the surface of a body of water and atthe top of a well drilled into the earth formations underlying said bodyof water, said wellhead assembly including component means havingmovable portions thereof, a string of pipe affixed near its upper end tosaid wellhead assembly, said string of pipe extending downwardly intosaid earth formation anchoring said wellhead assembly to said earthformation, manipulator mews lowerable through said water and removablypositionable adjacent said wellhead assembly, means carried by saidmanipulator means for fixedly securing said manipulator means to saidWellhead assembly, and arm means carried by said manipulator meansoperable for engaging portions of said wellhead assembly, and primemover means for actuating said arm means.

13. Apparatus for carrying out operations at a wellhead positioned belowthe surface of a body of Water while controlling said operations from abase positioned above said body of water, said apparatus comprising awellhead assembly positioned below the surface of a body of water and atthe top of a well drilled into the earth formations underlying said bodyof water, said Wellhead assembly including component means havingmovable portions thereof, a string of pipe affixed near its upper end tosaid wellhead assembly, said string of pipe extending downwardly intosaid earth formation anchoring said wellhead assembly to said earthformation, horil0 zontally-p ositioned track means mounted on saidWellhead assembly and adjacent thereto, manipulator means lowerablethrough said water and removably positionable on said track means andadapted for movement thereon, prime mover means carried by saidmanipulator means for selectively propelling said manipulator means onsaid track means adjacent said wellhead assembly, and arm means carriedby said manipulator means operable for engaging and actuating movableportions of said component means of said wellhead assembly, and primemover means for actuating said arm means.

14. Apparatus for carrying out operations at a wellhead positioned belowthe surface of a body of water while controlling said operations from abase positioned above said body of water, said apparatus comprising awellhead assembly positioned below the surface of a body of water and atthe top of a well drilled into the earth formations underlying said bodyof Water, said wellhead assembly including component means havingmovable portions thereof, a string of pipe affixed near its upper end tosaid wellhead assembly, said string of pipe extending downwardly intosaid earth formation anchoring said wellhead assembly to said earthformation, horizontally-positioned track means mounted on said wellheadassembly and adjacent thereto, manipulator means lowerable through saidwater and removably positionable on said track means and adapted formovement in a horizontal plane thereon, guide means aflixed to saidmanipulator means and engageable with said track means for movementthereon, prime mover means carried by said manipulator means forselectively propelling said manipulator means through the water, saidmanipulator means including aim means movable in vertical and horizontalplanes for engaging and actuating movable portions of said componentmeans of said wellhead assembly, and prime mover means for actuatingsaid arm means.

15. Apparatus for carrying out operations at a. well head positionedbelow the surface of a body of water while controlling said operationsfrom a base positioned above said body of water, said apparatuscomprising a wellhead assembly positioned below the surface of a body ofWater and at the top of a Well drilled into the earth formationsunder-lying said body of water, said wellhead assembly includingcomponent means having movable portions thereof, a string of pipeaffixed near its upper end to said wellhead assembly, said string ofpipe extending downwardly into said earth formation anchoring saidwellhead assembly to said earth formation, horizontally-positioned trackmeans mounted on said Wellhead assembly and adjacent thereto,manipulator means lowerable through said water and removablypositionable on said track means and adapted for movement in ah'orizoutal plane thereon, guide wheel means aflixed to said manipulatormeans and engageable with said track means for movement thereon, primemover means carried by said manipulator means for selectively propellingsaid manipulator means on said track means, extendible arm carried bysaid manipulator means and movable in vertical and horizontal planes forengaging and actuating movable portions of said component means of saidwellhead assembly, connector means carried at the outwardly extendingend of said arm means for engaging objects within the periphery of saidtrack means and within the area capable of being swept by said am meansas the manipulator means moves on said track means, and means secured tosaid manipulator means for moving said manipulator means between thebase above the surface of the water and the wellhead assemblytherebelow.

16. Apparatus for carrying out operations at a. wellhead positionedbelow the surface of a body of water while controlling said operationsfrom a base positioned above said body of Water, said apparatuscomprising a wellhead assembly positioned below the surface of a body ofwater and at the top of a well drilled into the earth formationsunderlying said body of water, said wellhead assembly includingcomponent means having movable portions thereof, a string of pipeaffixed near its upper end to said wellhead assembly, said string ofpipe extending downwardly into said earth formation anchoring saidwellhead assembly to said earth formation, horizontallypositioned trackmeans mounted in spaced relationship on said wellhead assemblyconcentric therewith, manipulator means lowerable through said water andremovably positionable on said track means and adapted for movement in ahorizontal plane thereon, guide wheel means affixed to said manipulatormeans and engageable with said track means for movement thereon, primemover means carried by said manipulator means for selectively propellingsaid manipulator means on said track means, outwardly-extendible andinwardly-retractable and axially-notatable arm means carried by saidmanipulator means and movable in vertical and horizontal planes forengaging and actuating movable portions of said component means of saidwellhead assembly, connector means carried at the outwardly-extendingends of said arm means for engaging objects within the periphery of saidtrack means and within the area capable of being swept by said arm meansas the manipulator means moves on said track means, weight-supportingand signaland power-transmission means extending from said manipulatormeans upwardly through said water to the operations base thereabove, andfirst and second indexing means, one of said indexing means carried bysaid manipulator means and the other indexing means carried by saidtrack means, whereby the engagement of said indexing means causes themanipulator means to be positioned on said track means for registeringwith a component of said wellhead assembly to be engaged by the armmeans of said manipulator means.

17. Apparatus for carrying out operations at a wellhead positioned belowthe surface of a body of water while controlling said operations from abase positioned above said body of water, said apparatus comprising awellhead assembly positioned below the surface of a body of water and atthe top of a Well drilled into the earth formations underlying said bodyof water, said wellhead assembly including component means havingmovable portions thereof, a string of pipe aflixed near its upper end tosaid wellhead assembly, said string of pipe extending downwardly intosaid earth formation anchoring said wellhead assembly to said earthformation, first and second horizontally-positioned track means mountedin spaced relationship around said wellhead assembly concentrictherewith, manipulator means lowerable through said water and removablypositionable on said first and second track means and adapted formovement in a horizontal plane thereon, guide wheel means afiixed tosaid manipulator means and engageable with said first and second trackmeans for movement thereon, prime mover means carried by saidmanipulator means for selectively propelling said manipulator means onsaid track means, outwardly-extendible and inwardly-retractable andaxially-rotatable means carried by said manipulator means and movable invertical and horizontal planes for engaging and actuating movableportions of said component means of said wellhead assembly, connectormeans carried at the outwardly-extending ends of said arm means forengaging objects within the periphery of said track means and within thearea capable of being swept by said arm means as the manipulator meansmoves around said track means, light means carried outwardly on saidmanipulator means for lighting at least a portion of the area in thevicinity thereof, television camera means carried outwardly on saidmanipulator means for remotely observing any desired portion of saidlighted area outside said manipulator means, weight-supporting andsigna-land power-transmission means extending from said manipulatormeans upwardly through said water to the operations base thereabove, andfirst and second indexing means, one of said indexing means carried bysaid manipulator means and the other indexing means carried by at leastone of said track means, whereby the engagement of said indexing meanscauses the manipulator means to be positioned on said track means forregistering with a component of said wellhead assembly to be engaged bythe arm means of said manipulator means.

18. Apparatus for carrying out operations at a Wellhead positioned belowthe surface of a body of water while controlling said operations from abase positioned above said body of water, said apparatus comprising awellhead assembly positioned below the surface of a body of water and atthe top of a Well drilled into the earth formations underlying said bodyof water, a casinghead having an upper end coaxially positioned relativeto said wellhead assembly and fixedly secured thereto, said wellheadassembly including component means having movable portions thereof, saidcomponent means including valve means and well control means andconnector means, a string of pipe aflixed near its upper end to saidcasinghead, said string of pipe extending downwardly into said earthformation anchoring said casinghead and said wellhead assembly to saidearth formation, first and second horizontally-positioned track meansmounted in spaced relationship around said wellhead assembly concentrictherewith, manipulator means lowerable through said water andremovably-positionable on said first and second track means and adaptedfor movement in a horizontal plane thereon, guide wheel means afiixed tosaid manipulator means and engageable with said tfirst and second trackmeans for movement thereon, prime mover means carried by saidmanipulator means for selectively propelling said manipulator means inany predetermined direction through the water and on said track means,outwardly-extendible and inwardly retractable and axially-rotatable armmeans carried by said manipulator means and movable in vertical andhorizontal planes for engaging and actuating movable portions of saidcomponent means of said casinghead and said wellhead assembly, connectormeans carried at the outwardly-extending ends of said arm means forengaging objects within the periphery of said track means and within thearea capable of being swept by said arm means as the manipulator meansmoves around said track means, light means carried outwardly on saidmanipulator means for lighting at least a portion of the area in thevicinity thereof, television camera means carried outwardly on saidmanipulator means for observing any desired portion of said lighted areaoutside said manipulator means, weight-supporting and signalandpower-transmission means extending from said manipulator means upwardlythrough said water to the operations base thereabove, and first andsecond indexing means, one of said indexing means carried by saidmanipulator means and the other indexing means carried by at least oneof said track means, whereby the engagement of said indexing meanscauses the manipulator means to be positioned on said track means forregistering with a component of said wellhead assembly to be engaged bythe arm means of said manipulator means.

19. Apparatus for carrying out operations at a wellhead positioned belowthe surface of a body of water while controlling said operations from abase positioned above said body of water, said apparatus comprising aWellhead assembly positioned below the surface of a body of water and atthe top of a Well drilled into the earth formations underlying said bodyof water, a casinghead having an upper end coaxially positioned relativeto said wellhead assembly and fixedly secured thereto, said wellheadassembly including component means having movable portions thereof, saidcomponent means including valve means and well control means andconnector means, a string of pipe aflixed near its upper end to saidcasing head, said string of pipe extending downwardly into said earthformation anchoring said casinghead and said wellhead assembly to saidearth formation, first and second horizontally-positioned track meansmounted in spaced relationship around said wellhead assembly concentrictherewith, manipulator means lowerable through said water and removablypositionable on said first and second track means and adapted formovement in a horizontal plane thereon, guide wheel means affixed tosaid manipulator means and engageable with said first and second trackmeans for movement thereon, retractable lock means carried by saidmanipulator means for locking said manipulator means on at least one ofsaid track means, prime mover means carried by said manipulatormeans[fior selectively propelling said manipulator means in any predetermineddirection through the water and on said track means,outwardly-extendible and inwardlyretractable and axiallyarotatable ar-mmeans carried by said manipulator means for engaging and actuatingmovable portions of said component means of said casinghead and saidwellhead assembly, connector means carried at the outwardly-extendingends of said arm means for engaging objects within the periphery of saidtrack means and within the area capable of being swept by said arm meansas the manipulator means moves around said track means, a wrench socketcarried as a connector means at the end of one of said arm means, agrapple device carried as a connector means at the end of another ofsaid arm means, light means carried outwardly on said manipulator meansfor lighting at least a portion of the area in the vicinity thereof,television camera means carried outwardly on said manipulator means forobserving any desired portion of said lighted area outside saidmanipulator means, Weight-supporting and signaland power-transmissionmeans extending from said manipulator means upwardly through said waterto the operations base thereabove, and first and second indexing means,one of said indexing means carried by said manipulator means and theother indexing means carried by at least one of said track means,whereby the engagement of said indexing means causes the manipulatormeans to be positioned on said track means for registering with acomponent of said wellhead assembly to be engaged by the arm means ofsaid manipulator means.

20. A method of remotely connecting and disconnecting removable elementsand operating components on a wellhead assembly positioned underwater atthe top of a string of pipe and provided with at least onehorizontally-positioned track thereon, said method comprising moving amanipulator device through the water from an operational basethereabove, guiding said manipulator device to said underwater wellheadassembly, removably positioning said manipulator device on said track ofsaid wellhead assembly, moving said manipulator device to a knownposition on said track, engaging a portion of said wellhead assemblywith a portion of said manipulator device, and actuating said engagedportion of said Wellhead assembly by said manipulator device.

21. Apparatus for carrying out operations at a Well production facilitypositioned below the surface of a body of water while controlling saidoperations from a base positioned above said body of Water, saidapparatus comprising a well production facility positioned below thesurface of a body of water and in the vicinity of a well drilled intothe earth formations underlying said body of water, component meansmounted on said well production facility, means carried by said wellproduction facility for anchoring said well production facility to theformation underlying said body of water, horizontallypositioned trackmeans mounted on said well production facility, manipulator meanslowerable through said water and removably positionable on said trackmeans for movement thereon, prime mover means carried by saidmanipulator means for selectively propelling said manipa l l ulatormeans on said track means, and arm means carried by said manipulatormeans for engaging and actuating movable portions of said componentmeans of said well production facility, and prime mover means foractuating said arm means.

22. A method of remotely carrying out an operation at a wellheadassembly positioned underwater at the top of a string of pipe, saidmethod comprising moving a manipulator device through the water from anoperational base thereabove, guiding said manipulator device to saidunderwater wellhead assembly, removably positioning said manipulatordevice adjacent said wellhead assembly in spaced relationship to thevertical axis thereof, engaging at least a portion of said wellheadassembly with at least a portion of said manipulator device, andremotely controlling the manipulator device to carry out said operationwith said engaged portion of said wellhead assembly.

23. A method of remotely connecting and disconnecting removable elementsand operating components on a wellhead assembly positioned underwater atthe top of a string of pipe and provided with at least one horizontallypositioned track thereon, said method comprising 10- cating theunderwater wellhead assembly from an operational base above the surfaceof the water, lowering a manipulator device through the water from saidoperational base thereabove, guiding said manipulator device to saidunderwater wellhead assembly, removably positioning said manipulatordevice on said track of said wellhead assembly, moving said manipulatordevice to a predetermined position on said track, latching saidmanipulator device on said track at said indexed position, engaging aportion of said wellhead assembly with a portion of said manipulatordevice, actuating said engaged portion of said wellhead assembly in apredetermined manner, and subsequently disengaging said manipulatordevice from said portion of wellhead assembly by said manipulatordevice.

24. A method of remotely connecting and disconnecting removable elementsand operating components on a wellhead assembly positioned underwater atthe topof a string of pipe and provided with at least one horizontallypositioned track thereon, said method comprising locating the underwaterwellhead assembly from an operational base above the surface of thewater, lowering a manipulator device through the water from saidoperational base thereabove, guiding said manipulator device to saidunderwater wellhead assembly, removably positioning said manipulatordevice on said track of said wellhead assembly, moving said manipulatordevice to a predetermined indexed position on said track, latching saidmanipulator device on said track at said indexed position, engaging aportion of said wellhead assembly with at least a portion of saidmanipulator device, actuating said engaged portion of said wellheadassembly by said manipulator device in a predetermined manner,subsequently disengaging said manipulator device from said portion ofwellhead assembly, and remotely observing the several actions of saidmanipulator device at any time during the operation thereof.

25. A method of remotely connecting and disconnecting removable elementsand operating components on a wellhead assembly positioned underwater atthe top of a string of pipe and provided with at least one horizontallypositioned track thereon, said method comprising 10- cating theunderwater wellhead assembly from an operational base above the surfaceof the water, lowering a manipulator device through the water from saidoperational base thereabove, guiding said manipulator device to saidunderwater wellhead assembly, removably positioning said manipulatordevice on said track of said wellhead assembly, moving said manipulatordevice to a predetermined indexed position on said track, latching saidmanipulator device on said track at said indexed position, engaging aportion of said wellhead assembly with at least a portion of saidmanipulator device, actuating said engaged portion of said wellheadassembly by said manipulator device in a predetermined manner,subsequently disengaging said manipulator device from said portion ofwellhead assembly, unlatching said manipulator device from said index-edposition on said track, moving said manipulator device to a secondindexed position on said track, latching said manipulator device at saidsecond indexed position, subsequently re-engaging said manipulatordevice and said wellhead assembly to actuate another component thereof,and remotely observing the several actions of said manipulator device atany time during the operation thereof.

'26. A method of remotely connecting and disconnecting removableelements and operating components on a wellhead assembly positionedunderwater at the top of a string of pipe md provided with at least onehorizontally positioned track thereon, said method comprising locatingthe underwater wellhead assembly from an operational base above thesurface of the water, lowering a manipulator device through the waterhnom said operational base thereabove, guiding said manipulator deviceto said underwater wellhead assembly, removably positioning saidmanipulator device on said track of said wellhead assembly, temporarilylocking said manipulator on said track for movement therealong, movingsaid manipulator device to a predetermined indexed position on saidtrack, latching said manipulator device on said track at said indexedposition, engaging a portion of said wellhead assembly with a portion ofsaid manipulator device, actuating said engaged portion of said wellheadassembly by said manipulator device in a predetermined manner,subsequently disengaging said manipulator device from said portion ofwellhead assembly, unlatching said manipulator device from said indexedposition on said track, moving said manipulator device to a secondindexed position on said track, latching said manipulator device at saidsecond indexed position, subsequently re-engagi-ng said manipulatordevice and said wellhead assembly to actuate another component thereof,and remotely observing the several actions of said manipulator device atany time during the operation thereof.

27. A remotely controlled manipulator device for carrying out operationsunderwater at an assembly positioned beneath a body of water, saidmanipulator device comprising a closed fluidtight housing, means carriedby said housing adapted to fixedly position said housing relative to anunderwater installation, outwardly extendible arm means carried by saidhousing, prime mover means contained within said housing for extendingand actuating said arm means, and power-transmission. conduit meansextending in a fluidtight manner through the wall of said housingoperatively connecting said prime mover means to a remote sourceorpower.

28. A remotely controlled manipulator device for carrying out operationsunderwater at an assembly positioned beneath a body of water, saidmanipulator device comprising a closed fluidtight housing having atleast two housing sections, means carried by said housing adapted tofixedly position said housing relative to an underwater installation,outwardly extendible arm means carried by one section of said housing,one section of housing being rotatably mounted with respect to the othersection of said housing, first prime mover means contained within saidhousing for rotating said housing sections with respect to each other,second prime mover means contained within said housing for extending andactuating said arm means, and power-transmission conduit means extendingin a fluidtight manner through the wall of said housing operativelyconnecting all of said prime mover means to a source of power.

29. A remotely controlled manipulation device for carrying outoperations underwater, said manipulator lit;

device comprising a closed fiuidti-ght housing having at least twovertically telescoping housing sections arranged for limited movement,guide means on the lower section of said housing adapted to engage trackmeans for move ment thereon, outwardly extendible arm means positionedadjacent the top of the upper section of said housing, said uppersection of housing being rotatably'mo-unted with respect to thelowermost section of said housing, first prime mover means containedWithin said housing for rotating and telescoping said housing sectionswith respect to each other, second prime mover means contained withinsaid housing #for extending and retracting and rotating said arm means,and power-transmission conduit means extending in a fluidtight mannerthrough the wall of said housing operatively connecting all of saidprime mover means to a source of power.

30. r. e apparatus of claim 29 wherein said arm means includes one armhaving a wrench socket in one end thereof adapted to engage movableelements of an under water wellhead assembly.

31. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said arm means includes one armhaving actulatab-le grapple means rotatably mounted on the end thereofadapted to engage elements of an underwater wellhead assembly.

32. The apparatus of claim 29 including remotelycontrolleddirecti(anally-adjustable light means and television camera means forlighting and observing the area in the vicinity of the manipulatordevice.

33. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the guide means includes at leastone set of rotatable elements adapted to rotate on a vertical axis andpositioned in spaced relationship so that some of said rotatableelements are positionable on either side of at least a portion of saidtrack means to prevent horizontal forces from tipping said manipulatordevice off said track means.

34. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said guide means are guide wheelmeans and including reversible third prime mover means contained withinsaid housing and operatively connected to at least one of said wheelmeans for propelling said housing in either direction about saidwellhead assembly.

35. The apparatus of claim 29 including motor-driven propulsion meanscarried on said housing for moving said housing through a body of waterto a selected position therein.

36. A remotely controlled manipulator device for car rying outoperations underwater at an assembly positioned at the top of a welldrilled in the formation beneath a body of water, said manipulatordevice comprising a closed fluidtight housing having at least twovertically telescoping housing sections arranged for limited movement,guide wheel means on the lower section of said housing adapted to engagetrack means for movement thereon at the top of a well,outwardly-extendible and inwardly-retractable and axially-rotatablehorizontal arm means positioned near the top of the upper section ofsaid housing, said upper section of housing being rotatably mounted withrespect to the lowermost section of said housing, retractable positionindexing means for fixedly latching said housing at selected points on atrack means, motor-driven propulsion means carried on said housing formoving said housing through a body of water to any selectedrpositiontherein, first prime mover means contained within said housing forrotating and telescoping said housing sections with respect to eachother, second prime mover means contained within said housing forextending and retracting and rotating said arm means, andpower-transmission conduit means extending in a iluidtight mannerthrough the wall of said housing operative'ly connecting all of saidprime mover means to a source of power.

37. A remotely controlled manipulator device for carrying out operationsunderwater at an assembly positioned at the. top of a well drilled inthe formation beneath a body of water, said manipulator devicecomprising a closed fiuidtight housing having at least two ve-rticallytelescoping housing sections arranged for limited movement, guide wheelmeans on the lower section of said housing adapted to engage track meansfor movement thereon around the top of a well, outwardly-extendible andinwardly-retractable and axially-rotatable horizontal arm meanspositioned near the top of the upper section of said housing formovement at least along a line normal to a vertical line through thecenter of said housing, said upper section of housing beingrotatablymounted with respect to the lowermost section of said housing,retractable position indexing means for fixedly latching said housing atselected points on a track means, motor-driven propeller means carriedon said housing for moving said housing through a body of Water to anyselected position therein, weight supporting cable means secured to saidhousing for raising or lowering said housing in a body of water, firstprime mover means contained Within said housing for rotating andtelescoping said housing sections with respect to each other, secondprime mover means contained within said housing for extending andretracting and rotating said arm means, and power-transmission conduitmeans extending in a fiuidtight manner through the Wall of said housingoperatively connecting all of said prime mover means to a source orpower.

38. A remotely cont-rolled manipulator device for carrying outoperations underwater at an assembly positioned at the top of a welldrilled in the formation beneath a body of water, said manipulatordevice comprising a closed fiuidtight housing having at least twovertically telescoping housing sections arranged for limited movement,first and second guide wheel means on the lower section of said housingadapted to engage and lock on track means for movement thereon aroundthe top of a well, reversible first prime mover means can tained withinsaid housing and operatively connected to at least one of said Wheelmeans for propelling said housing in either direction on said trackmeans, outwardly extendible and inwardly retract-able and axiallyrotatable rigid horizontal arm means positioned near the top of theupper section of said housing for movement along a line normal to avertical line through the center of said housing, said upper section ofhousing being rotatably mounted with respect to the lowermost section ofsaid housing, means for locking said housing to said track means whilepermitting sliding movement therealong, retractable position indexingmeans for fixedly latching said housing at selected points on a trackmeans, motor-driven propeller means carried on said housing for movingsaid housing through a body of water to any selected position therein,weight supporting cable means secured to said housing for raising orlowering said housing in a body of water, second prime mover meanscontained within said housing for rotating and telescoping said housingsections with respect to each other, third prime mover means containedwithin said housing for extending and retracting and rotating said armmeans, and power-transmission conduit means extending in a fiuidtightmanner through the wall of said housing operatively connecting all ofsaid prime mover means to a source of power.

39. A remotely controlled manipulator device for carrying out operationsunderwater at an assembly positioned at the top of a well drilled in theformation beneath a body of Water, said manipulator device comprising aclosed fluidtight housing, an arm extendible vertically from saidhousing for limited movement therefrom, guide means on the housingadapted to engage track means mounted adjacent said underwater assembly,outwardly-extendible arm means positioned near the extendible end of thevertically-extendible arm, said arm being rotatably mounted with respectto said housing, first prime mover means contained within said housingfor rotating and telescoping said vertically extending arm with respectto said housing, second prime mover means contained within said housingfor extending and retracting said outwardly-extendible arm means, andpower transmission conduit means extending in a fluidtight mannerthrough the wall of said housing operatively connecting all of saidprime mover means to a source of power.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS152,253 Shaw June 23, 1874 700,769 Hazard May 27, 1902 1,880,138 HubeSept. 27, 1932 2,061,256 Romano Nov. 17, 1936 2,370,780 Crom Mar. 6,1945 2,939,416 Calabrese June 7, 1960 2,955,546 Liebherr et a1. Oct. 11,1960 3,023,012 Wilde Feb. 27, 1962

1. AN UNDERWATER APPARATUS HAVING COMPONENTS ADAPTED TO BE REMOTELYMANIPULATED AT SAID UNDERWATER APPARATUS FROM AN OPERATIONAL BASEPOSITIONED ABOVE THE SURFACE OF THE WATER, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING ASTRING OF PIPE EXTENDING INTO THE FORMATIONS UNDERLYING SAID WATER, THETOP OF SAID PIPE BEING ABOVE THE FORMATIONS AND BELOW THE SURFACE OF THEWATER, AND BASE MEANS MOUNTED ADJACENT SAID PIPE, SAID BASE MEANSADAPTED TO RECEIVE THEREON A REMOTELY MOVABLE AND ACTUATABLE MANIPULATORDEVICE FOR MANIPULATING COMPONENTS OF SAID UNDERWATER APARATUS.